The English Daughter by

About The English Daughter 

What happens when your spouse has become a stranger? 

Old Order Amish wife and mother Jemima Graber has put her marriage and young children ahead of herself for years. For the last decade she’s set herself aside while her husband, Roy, invested in the family’s successful horse farm. While raising four little ones, she’s followed all the rules and patiently waited to finally chase a dream of her own.

But now, at the time when her dreams are about to be realized, Roy has grown distant from Jem, and she doesn’t know what to make of his unusual moods and absences. Is his erratic behavior somehow connected to the tenant in the family’s rental property, an Englisch woman Roy dated during his rumschpringe days? And if so, how far does God’s forgiveness extend in impossible situations?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Saying I love Cindy Woodsmall’s books is an understatement. She writes by far the best Amish books! Each one dealing with very difficult issues that people face daily. And The English daughter is written with the same expertise as her other books. And I need to mention that Erin Woodsmall is definitely a great addition to her mother in law’s writing.  In this story, Roy is becoming distant with his wife Jemima, and she has no idea why, or what she can do about it.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

CINDY WOODSMALL is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of twenty-five works of fiction and one nonfiction book. Cindy’s writing has been featured on ABC’s Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She lives outside Atlanta with her husband.

ERIN WOODSMALL is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of four. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade. More recently she and Cindy have coauthored five books.

Sneak Peek

Read the first three chapters of Isaiah’s Legacy. The drama of the Old Testament comes to life as Judah’s most notorious king ascends to the throne in this gripping novel from the award-winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter.  At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle’s help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah’s five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she’s eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father’s strict adherence to Yahweh’s Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power. Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh’s chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah’s throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria’s crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle’s long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she’d never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh’s mother: Isaiah’s daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah’s dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord’s promise, “Though we’re helpless now, we’re never hopeless–because we serve El Shaddai.” Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah’s legacy.

Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Finally back in the Old Order Amish world she loves,
Will Ariana’s new perspectives draw her family closer together—
or completely rip them apart?

After months away in the Englisch world, Ariana Brenneman is overjoyed to be in the Old Order Amish home where she was raised. Yet her excitement is mixed with an unexpected apprehension as she reconciles all she’s learned from her biological parents with the uncompromising teachings of her Plain community. Although her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, hopes to help her navigate her new role amongst her people, Ariana’s Daed doesn’t understand why his sweet daughter is suddenly questioning his authority. What will happen if she sows seeds of unrest and rebellion in the entire family?

Meanwhile, Skylar Nash has finally found her place among the large Brenneman family, but Ariana’s arrival threatens to unravel Skylar’s new identity—and her sobriety. Both Ariana and Skylar must discover the true cords that bind a family and community together and grasp tight the One who holds their authentic identities close to His heart.

Gathering the Threads is the third and final novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

I have been waiting to read this third book in The Amish of Summer Grove series. I loved the first two books in the series, though the first book had a very heartbreaking ending. But that part had to happen for the series to continue! Ariana Brenneman is back in her Amish home after her DNA dad let her come home earlier than expected. But she wasn’t the same Ari that left months ago. Living with her English family changed her in ways she never though possible. This didn’t go over well at all with her Amish parents and siblings, with them thinking their Ari would be back and everything would be as it was.

Watching the Amish folks and their actions about the change in Ariana was interesting, but yet I was so angry at her dad, the Bishop and preachers. Their attitude was horrible and was it really bullying instead of trying to get her to see the error of her ways? You and figure that out for yourself when you read the book. Though I really like this book, it didn’t have the same excitement as the first two books. I was surprised and pleased at how Ariana’s English dad treated her. And it was surprising that  she learned so much from him, and I really did too. And I can’t leave out Quill. From the beginning I have liked this guy, though I didn’t really understand him at first. He was an all around good guy!

Gathering The Threads is a really good name for this book because Cindy Woodsmall’s does a really good job of weaving all of the loose ends in this series together and writing a very nice ending that satisfies your soul. One that everyone can live with. I received this book from Blogging for Books  to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written seventeen (and counting!) works of fiction and one of nonfiction. She and her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud, coauthored the nonfiction, Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. Cindy has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal,and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life. In June of 2013, the Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the one of the top three most popular authors of Amish fiction.

She’s won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings’ Best Books of the Year. She’s been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn’t realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn’t allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy’s house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them–afraid that if they didn’t, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann’s because her family didn’t own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults’ disapproval and the obstacles in each other’s lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy’s family moved to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities–from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest.

If you’d like more information or to contact her, you can go to her website: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

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About This Book

Family, community, faith, and love.
These “quilt blocks” sewn together made Ariana’s beautiful life.
When they are pulled to pieces,
will anything familiar remain?

The Old Order Amish life Ariana Brenneman loved vanished virtually overnight with the discovery that she was switched at birth twenty years ago. Now she’s immersed in the Englischer world, getting to know her mother and under the authority of her biological father, an atheist intellectual with resolute plans to expand Ariana’s worldview. Only Quill Schlabach, a childhood friend living Englisch, can steady the tilting ground between Ariana’s two worlds, but can she trust him after so many betrayals?

At the same time, Skylar Nash is forced to choose rehab or spend several months with her true relatives, the large Brenneman family and their seemingly backward life—no electricity, no technology, no fun. What the young woman can’t leave behind is her addiction to illegal prescription drugs and a deep emptiness from the belief that she doesn’t belong in either family.

New ties are binding Ariana and Skylar to the lives they were meant to have. Can they find the wisdom and strength they’ll need to follow God’s threads into unexpected futures?
 
Fraying at the Edge is the second novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

This first book in this series, Ties That Bind ended with Ariana Brenneman and Skylar Nash going to live with their biological parents. Skylar’s parents were not together, so she had two families to get to know. As well as doing everything on the lists that her parents had for her to complete. One the other hand, Ariana Brenneman did not care for her biological parents and their lifestyle. She didn’t want to live without electricity and everything that goes with that, including cell phones and internet.

This series deals with the harsh situation of babies switched at birth. These two young ladies were from completely different lifestyles, so it makes for an amazing read. My heart went out to both ladies, because neither of them wanted to change their way of living. But as I followed their story in Fraying at the Edge, it was interesting to see the changes in Ariana and Skylar, the longer they stayed with their biological parents. Cindy Woodsmall does an amazing job of weaving together each family and the interaction between the two. I read this book in one setting, because I had to find out what happened to these young ladies I have grown to love. I simply can’t wait for book three to hit the shelves. This is such an amazing series I plan to keep this series on my shelves and read it again. Ms. Woodsmall puts a different twist to her Amish stories that makes them different from all other.

If you enjoy Amish fiction, Fraying at the Edge is one you need to check out. And don’t forget the first book in the series as well, Ties That Binds. I just can’t say enough about this wonderful book and series!   I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

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Ties That Bind by Cindy Woodsmall

Ties That Bind

by Cindy Woodsmall

About This Book

Ariana’s comfortable Old Order Amish world is about to unravel. Will holding tightly to the cords of family keep them together—or simply tear them apart?

Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways. She has two aspirations: open a café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family’s ever-expanding brood and to keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach.

Five years ago Quill, along with her dear friend Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish.
*
Despite how things look, Quill’s goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café—because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever.

Ties That Bind is the first novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series.

– See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=242924#sthash.6UVVnVks.dpuf

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

 Five years have gone by since Quill and Frieda jumped the fence, leaving Quill’s girl Ariana behind, hurting because of the betrayal of her boyfriend and best friend. Then Quill shows back up in Summer Grove. It was kind of difficult sometimes to follow what was going on because the reason for Quill and Frieda leaving was so secretive, it didn’t make a lot of sense. The story gets interesting when Ariana’s parents come to Quill because they suspect their baby was switched with an Englischer’s baby at the time of birth. Resulting I a lot of tension and unanswered questions. Questions that only Quill could find out. This part of the story was so very interesting I couldn’t put the book down, because I wanted to see what happened to these two young ladies. I sure hope there is a book two coming soon because the book ended in the middle of the story, leaving me hanging off a cliff! Can’t wait to see what happens with these two young ladies!

I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cindy Woodsmall

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media. She lives in the Foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her family.

– See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=242924#sthash.6UVVnVks.dpuf

Author Website is  http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/

Hope Crossing …The Complete Ada’s House Trilogy by Cindy Woodsmall

 Hope Crossing …

The Complete Ada’s House Trilogy

by Cindy Woodsmall

 Hope Crossing…where Ada’s House stands as a haven for weary souls looking for kindness, faith, and second chances.
 
The Hope of Refuge
Two very different women are pulled by their strongest desires. Deborah Mast joined the Amish church and longs to marry her fiancé, but he is changing. Cara Moore is forced to look into a life that was meant to be hers. Will Ada’s House help them realize their hearts’ desires or will it force them to accept what life has done to each of them?

The Bridge of Peace
Living out her passion for teaching, Lena Kauffman’s work is suddenly interrupted by a series of pranks and accidents targeted toward her and her students. When tragedy strikes her dear friend Grey Graber’s family on school property, the school board begins to blame her for the trouble. As grief and confusion take their toll on Grey and Lena’s friendship, they are both forced to face a new reality that may offer the peace and love they each long for.

The Harvest of Grace
Fleeing a terrible mistake, Sylvia Fisher dedicates herself to saving the failing Blank farm. When prodigal son Aaron returns, he is surprised by this unusual farmhand who opposes all his plans. Will Aaron and Sylvia’s unflinching efforts toward opposite futures mask the bigger picture—a path to forgiveness, grace, and the promise of love?

This three-in-one collection includes the entirety of the best-selling Ada’s House trilogy, now at a new low price!

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Hope Crossing is a wonderful three full size books by Cindy Woodsmall. I love anything Cindy Woodsmall writes so I was thrilled to get this trilogy. The Hope of Refuge, The Bridge of Peace and The Harvest of Grace will keep you reading for many hours. The characters are so believable and realistic that I feel that I have a host of new friends! I love reading books that make me feel that way! I wont go into detail of each book, because many have done that already, but I want to encourage each of you to pick up this wonderful trilogy to read for yourself. And what a bargain it is, to get three books for one low price! If you enjoy Amish stories, you will love this one. The only thing with Ms. Woodsmall’s books, there is always a little different twist to her stories that you will really enjoy!

I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall

A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall

ABOUT THIS BOOK

A husband and son abandoned to forge a path alone.

A young woman who sacrificed her dreams.

How will the God of grace and hope help them find their way?

At nineteen years old, Old Order Amish Jolene Keim was on the brink of happily-ever-after when everything changed, stealing the future she expected and burdening her with an unbearable decision. For the next ten years, Jolene throws herself into family life—and then she meets Andy Fisher. The horse trainer and father to a sweet nine year-old challenges her and holds up a mirror to issues Jolene has been unwilling to face.

Andy is cautious about his deepening friendship with Jolene, but he believes she knows the truth about him – that he is a grass widower. As a man whose wife has abandoned him six years past, he is unable to divorce or remarry according to the Amish ways. Andy has wrestled with God concerning his reality, and he had found peace with the solitary future facing him…until he met Jolene.

As Andy and Jolene find themselves confronted by difficult choices, will they trust in God’s guidance—or will the allure of their deepening friendship only lead to further temptation?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

 

Jolene was anxiously awaiting her marriage, only two weeks to go. But that all changed one rainy night when her mother was called out to deliver a baby and both her mom and dad never came home. In order to keep the family together, Jolene did the only thing she knew to do, she put her life into taking care of her siblings. But that meant no marriage because her fiancé wasn’t willing take on Jolene’s family to raise. After 10 years, her siblings started getting married, and Jolene meets Andy Fisher, and the sparks started flying. But Andy had problems of his own, so there was no way the two could make a go of it.

This is the most amazing story! At first, I wasn’t so sure, because it was kind of slow and sad for me, but then everything started happening and I couldn’t put this book down! Cindy Woodsmall is an amazingly awesome writer, and A Love Undone is one of my favorite books she has written yet! My heart hurt so bad for Jolene, having to give up her marriage, and I thought she did really well taking care of her brothers and sisters. It was time for her to think about herself when she met Andy Fisher. And it was difficult to read about his wife leaving him years before and he couldn’t marry again because that was the Amish way. But in her amazing storytelling, Cindy pulls this story together, giving readers and ending that will be both a blessing and honor to read! I hope there will me more about this family in later books. If you enjoy Amish stories, you must read this one!! I am sure you will find it awesome!

I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

About the author

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author who has written fifteen (and counting!) works of fiction and one of nonfiction. She and her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud, coauthored the nonfiction, Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. Cindy’s been featured on ABC Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life. In June of 2013, the Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as one of the top three Amish fiction writers.

She’s won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings’ Best Books of the Year. She’s been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert

A Broken Kind of Beautiful

by Katie Ganshert

 

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four-year-old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth — appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows — so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line — an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.

 

 

MY REVIEW

This is an awesome book, and I just loved, loved it!!!  For ten years Ivy Clark has been modeling fashions, and outside beauty is all she knows or cares about. Then Ivy meets Davis and Ivy begins to see that outside beauty is not the really important kind of beauty.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful was sometimes difficult for me to read, because it is full of heartache and difficulties because of what the characters are going through. But author Katie Ganshert does the most fantastic job of showing the love and redemption of God’s grace into the lives of her characters. This is a book that anyone would not only love, but your life will change when you follow the lives of these wonderful characters. I hope you love this as much as I did!

I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christy Award finalist, Katie Ganshert is the author of Wildflowers from Winter and Wishing on Willows. She lives in Iowa with her handsome husband, their dinosaur-loving son, and their goofy black lab, Bubba. When she’s not busy writing or playing or reading or snuggling, she is obsessing over the paperwork and the waiting that comes with adoption, which she and her husband hope to complete sometime before they are fifty.

For Every Season by Cindy Woodsmall

For Every Season 

by Cindy Woodsmall

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Working hard to develop a new Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is fully committed to rehabilitating an orchard with business partner Samuel King. But an impulsive decision has created an unexpected strain in her relationship with her beau, Samuel’s brother, Jacob, threatening plans for the orchard. Amidst mounting tension in matters of the heart and business, Rhoda finds that this fledging settlement feels like the home she has always longed for, and she begins to embrace the God-given, heightened intuition that has always felt like a burden to her. She longs for Jacob to fully be free of his past, so they can work towards the future together.

But as Rhoda uses her gift to unpack an old secret with her Englisch neighbors, it is not her beau but an unlikely ally that cheers her on. With the orchard on shaky ground and Jacob’s plans in question, Rhoda is determined to see things through to harvest. But can she trust her insight to direct her path in matters of the heart? – See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307730060#sthash.CSCoG9YE.dpuf

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Part of the King family, along with Rhoda and her brother’s family and their Englisch helper Landon are hard at work in their new Amish community in Maine, as well as working to make the best crop possible out of the apple orchard there. But amid the hard work, tensions flare as brothers Samuel and Jacob’s feud because of Samuel and Rhoda’s kiss. And it doesn’t help matters at all that Jacob has to be away so much because of his secret life before returning back to the King home. The thought that comes to my mind is….’Oh what a tangled web we weave’ because this is truly a tangled up mess of a family.

I think I say this every time I do a review; Cindy Woodsmall is one of my favorite authors and I have read, and have all of her books! And I love every one of them too! I really enjoyed the continuing of the Kings and Rhoda’s story. Tension between the brothers keeps the story interesting, and with the new helper coming in, it spices things up a bit. Just to add my personal opinion about the situation, I would kick Jacob to the curb if I was Rhoda. I know he wants to try and make amends with his past, but all of the secrets is really just to much. If he can’t trust Rhoda with them, just who can he trust. And with Jacob, its all about him and what he wants, he doesn’t try to see anyone else’s situation. But then that’s just my opinion of him!

This is an Amish story that tells life as it really is. The Amish may be plain folks, but they have their problems just like everyone else. This is one of the things I appreciate so much about Cindy Woodsmall. She isn’t afraid to tackle difficult issues, and she handles them so very well. I love the characters, after reading three books about them, they seem so real, almost like family.  I have enjoyed being wrapped up in their lives for three books, and I can’t wait to see what is in store in book four of this series. If you are looking for a good entertaining read, this is the book for you! And don’t forget to check out the first two books in The Amish Vines and Orchards Series as well.

I received this book from the publisher Waterbrook through their Blogging For Books review program to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

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About the Author

 Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media. She lives in the Foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her family.

– See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307730060#sthash.CSCoG9YE.dpuf

The Winnowing Season…….by Cindy Woodsmall

 

 

The Winnowing Season

by Cindy Woodsmall

 

ABOUT THIS BOOK

The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challenges of establishing an Amish community—and brave enough to face the secrets that move with them?

On the eve of their departure to begin a new Old Order Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is shocked to discover that choices made by her business partner and friend, Samuel King, have placed her and her unusual gifts directly into the path of her district’s bishop and preachers. She is furious with Samuel and is fearful that the Kings will be influenced by the way her leaders see her, and not what they know to be true—that Rhoda’s intuition is a gift from God.

Jacob King won’t be swayed by community speculation. He loves Rhoda, believes in her, and wants to build a future with her in Maine. But when the ghosts of his past come calling and require him to fulfill a great debt, can he shake their hold before it destroys what he has with Rhoda? Samuel has a secret of his own—one he’ll go to great lengths to keep hidden, even if it means alienating those closest to him. Throwing himself into rehabilitating the once-abandoned orchard, Samuel turns to a surprising new ally.

Book 2 of the Amish Vines and Orchards series asks: can the three faithfully follow God’s leading and build a new home and orchard in Maine? Or will this new beginning lead to more ruin and heartbreak?

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I was very happy to continue reading Rhoda and Jacob’s story in The Winnowing Season. After a tornado came through and the devastating loss of their home and land, Jacob’s family decided to pack up, leave their life as they knew in Pennsylvania and move to Maine. Rhoda had plans to move with the King family because of what people in their community thought of her, bad thoughts that is. No one understood her way of healing, and thought she was weird. Just as she thought she would get away from everyone who was talking, Rhoda’s past shows its ugly face, and causing her more problems and pain.

Cindy Woodsmall continues her expert writing skills and awesome storytelling in the second book of Amish Vines and Orchards Series, The Winnowing Season. I really love the characters and how they are so believable and realistic. Rhoda has suffered much as she continues to use her gift with the things she grows in her garden, thanks to her own community spreading gossip about her. Rhoda’s strong determination kept my attention because she wouldn’t give up, no matter what. There a lot of twists and turns in this book with Rhoda and her difficult situations, and difficult decisions, as well as the King family and their choice to start their life over in Maine. This is one of those books that I just couldn’t put down for long, I was drawn to the characters stories and wanted to find out what was happening next!

If you like Amish stories, you will love this one. To me, Cindy’s books always have a little edgy twist to them, making them even more interesting and enjoyable. Grab your copy today, and while you are at it, pick up the first book in this series. And watch out for Book three in The Amish Vines and Orchards Series as well!

This book was provided by Blogging for Books through their reviewer Blogging program. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.

 

About the Author

Cindy Woodsmall is a best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and non-fiction book Plain Wisdom whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline, in the Wall Street Journal, and throughout other Christian and general news outlets. She lives outside of Atlanta with her family.

Christmas in Apple Ridge

Christmas in Apple Ridge

by

Cindy Woodsmall

About This Book

Experience the holidays with the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, in these touching novellas centered around love, romance, heartache, and restoration from best-selling authorCindy Woodsmall.
The Sound of Sleigh Bells Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy, but when she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds. Determined that her niece meet the gifted artist, her aunt tracks him down, but it’s not that simple – will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love? T

he Christmas Singing Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Brokenhearted, Mattie moves away and pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator, and even finds a new beau. But when Mattie is forced to return home three years later, will learning the truth behind Gideon’s rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?

The Dawn of Christmas Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Christmas in Apple Ridge is a collection of three Amish Christmas stories by Cindy Woodsmall. In The Sound of Sleigh Bells you will read about Jonah and Beth. The Christmas Singing is about Gideon and Mattie. And the Dawn of Christmas is Levi and Sadie’s story. I love Amish fiction, and I especially enjoy reading about how Amish celebrate their Christmas, so this book was a treat for me. Even though I have read the first two before, I enjoyed reading them again, and The Dawn of Christmas is a brand new story, so that one was a delight.

I highly recommend this wonderful book by Cindy Woodsmall. The stories are short, and can be read in a day or so. And being Christmas puts you in the Holiday spirit. And each story is enjoyable enough that you will want to keep this book and read these stories each Christmas. Pick up your copy asap! You will not be disappointed!

This book was provided by Blogging for Books through their reviewer Blogging program. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.

A Season for Tending by Cindy Woodsmall

A Season for Tending 

by Cindy Woodsmall

 

BOOK BLURB

 

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Again, Cindy Woodsmall gives her readers a masterpiece to read! A story with two families struggling in different ways brought together for the good of them both. Rhoda Byler is being talked about and harassed because of lies a family member is spreading about her. Samuel King struggles making ends meet with the family apple orchard he is taking care of. Because of a unique situation with Samuel’s sister the paths of the two families crossed.

 

Believable and reliable characters develop well as this story unfolds creating twists and turns that kept me reading until the very end. It seams that one situation would be over and another one was just around the counter. I appreciate that through the characters, Cindy Woodsmall shows the importance of living our lives trusting God and believing Him to help us through our difficult situations.

 

This is a good clean, sweet Amish fiction that anyone would love to read. And if you haven’t tried Cindy Woodsmall’s books, now would be a perfect time. Pick up your copy today for your reading enjoyment.

 

A copy of this book was provided by Blogging for Books through their book review program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mind only.

 

PURCHASE YOUR BOOK HERE ON AMAZON

 

About The Author

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author who has written seven novels, four novellas, and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. Cindy has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.

She’s a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

She’s won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings’ Best Books of the Year. She’s been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn’t realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn’t allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy’s house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them–afraid that if they didn’t, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann’s because her family didn’t own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults’ disapproval and the obstacles in each other’s lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy’s family moved to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities–from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, three sons, two daughters-in-law, and a new granddaughter.

If you’d like more information or to contact her, you can go to her website: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

by Cindy Woodsmall

 

About This Book

Annie Martin loves the Plain ways of her Old Order Mennonite people, like those revered by her beloved grandfather. Retreating from a contentious relationship with her mother, Annie goes to live with her Daadi Moses in Apple Ridge.

But as spring moves into Pennsylvania and Annie spends time amongst the cherry trees with the handsome Aden Zook, she wishes she could forget how deeply the lines between the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite are drawn.

Can Annie and Aden find a place for their love to bloom in the midst of the brewing storm?

My Thoughts on this Book!

I enjoy Cindy Woodsmall’s books because they always have a unique twist to them. And this one is no different. Long time friends Aden and Annie were secretly attracted to each other and had been for a long time, thought they could not let one another know because they could never be together for a lifetime because of their religious beliefs. When Annie’s mother suggested Annie go stay with her grandfather who lived next to Aden’s family, Annie started helping out in the family restaurant. After both Aden’s mom and Annie’s grandfather figured out that they were spending too much time together, they knew something had to be done. Would they forbid the two to see each other? Is there a way the two can commit to one another for life? For those and more answers, you will need to read the book.

I love Cindy Woodsmall’s books and this one didn’t disappoint. Cindy pens a story of forbidden love between two plain people, with characters that are so real and believable that you hurt with them, and want to pray for their relationship to succeed. The reader will see that difficulties come to all people, even the Amish.

Though I’d rather read a long book that a novella, I am glad I had the opportunity to follow this part of Annie and Arden’s journey in their lives.

I received this book free from Waterbrook Press to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55

Purchase at AMAZON

 

 

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

Book Blurb

After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes?
 Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve.
Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?
Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.

 

My Thoughts on The Christmas Singing

Mattie decides to go live with her brother after a heartbreaking broken relationship with her boyfriend Gideon. What she didn’t know was that because of a secret Gideon didn’t want her to find out, he intentionally makes Mattie believe he is interested in someone else in order for their romance to end.

Then Mattie is forced to return to her home because of an accident and finds out about the secret Gideon kept from her, and you can imagine the confusing emotions buzzing through her head now.

The Singing Christmas Tree is another wonderful Amish fiction from Cindy Woodsmall. As with Cindy’s other books, she goes a little toward the edge telling this story giving readers and insight of how the Amish have some of the same difficulties to deal with in life as we all do. They deal with pain and sickness, heartaches and broken hearts, and sometimes not being truthful to each other as in this story. But they also find love and forgiveness and restoration through their relationship with God.

I appreciate this heartwarming romance in The Christmas Singing that Cindy has created for us to enjoy for this Christmas season. The wonderful characters she creates are fun to meet and get to know as we read the story. I would encourage you to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy. You will not be disappointed in this one!

I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 

About the Author

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.

She is also a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

Her first novel released in 2006 to much acclaim and became a best seller. Cindy was a 2007 ECPA award finalist, along with Karen Kingsbury, Angela Hunt, and Charles Martin.

Her second book, When the Morning Comes, hit numerous best-sellers lists across the US, including edging into the extended list of the New York Times, coming in at number thirty-four.

Her third book, When the Soul Mends, hit the New York Times best-sellers list, coming in at number thirteen, as well as making the USA Today’s best-sellers list.

Cindy continues to write and release best-selling works of fiction, and she’s also written a nonfiction work with an Old Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. The book is titled Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity.

Though she didn’t realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and caped dresses. Her parents didn’t allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy’s house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them—afraid that if they didn’t, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann’s because her family didn’t own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults’ disapproval and the obstacles in each other’s lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy’s family moved to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children.

Cindy, her husband, their three sons and two daughters-in-law reside in Georgia.

 

 

Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

My Review

 

Harvest of Grace is yet another awesome Cindy Woodsmall Amish fiction. I like the way she gives us an intimate look at the lives of her main characters, and this one is no different. As Sylvia suffers the horrible pain of betrayal and Aaron struggles with his addictions, Cindy gives us an insight into their daily lives as they struggle each day, and even each hour with the pain they are facing. I was drawn in to this story living it with the characters, feeling their hurts, pain and struggles right along with them. I like the way Cindy weaves the characters and plot with the Amish ways of life to give readers the true things that Amish struggle with. Even though they handle difficulties different than others, they still face the same struggles as we all do.

And as always, there is a strong Biblical content showing us the love and forgiveness of God and helps us see how God is always with us, no matter what comes our way in life. If you like Amish, you will love this book! And I would encourage you to read the first two books in this series as well.

I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 Purchase at Amazon